Push pull rotatable wheel type exercising device

ABSTRACT

To surmount a resistance a flywheel mass and a pulling member are mounted at one end of a shaft which is journaled in a housing of a gymnastics apparatus. The pulling or drawing member includes a rope which can be wound or unwound from the shaft. The rope has one of its ends fixed to the shaft end while the other end of the rope is attached to the housing and the main portion of the rope is guided over guide rollers housed in an independent handle which is pulled by a user.

United States Patent [191 Vetter PUSH PULL ROTATABLE WHEEL TYPEEXERCISING DEVICE [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: I-Ieimsport Gmbl I, Hannover,

Germany [22] Filed: Jan. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 321,735

Heinz Vetter, Hanover, Germany [30] Foreign Application Priority DataMar. 3, 1972 Germany 2210249 [52] US. Cl 272/79 R, 272/81, 273/DlG 6[51] Int. Cl. A63b 21/06, A63b 23/04 [58] Field of Search..... 272/79 R,79 D, 81, DIG. 4, 272/DIG. 5, 57 R, 73; 46/59, 207, 209; 273/DIG. 6,DIG. 8; 117/161 KP [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 770,9949/1904 White 272/79 D 1,916,660 7/1933 Duff 272/79 R .1 Oct. 15, 19743/1971 Mastropaolo 272/79 R 6/1971 Bock et 117/161 KP OTHER PUBLICATIONSTeflon 100 FEP DuPont Information Bulletin No. X-90a (pp. 1 & 2).

Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Wil1iam R. BrowneAttorney, Agent, or FirmRichards & Geier [5 7 ABSTRACT To surmount aresistance a flywheel mass and a pulling member are mountedat one end ofa shaft which is journaled in a housing of a gymnastics apparatus. Thepulling or drawing member includes a rope which can be wound or unwoundfrom the shaft. The rope has one of its ends fixed to the shaft endwhile the other end of the rope is attached to the housingand the mainportion of the rope is guided over guide rollers housed in anindependent handle which is pulled bya user.

11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PUSH PULL ROTATABLE WHEEL TYPE EXERCISINGDEVICE DESCRIPTIO N OF THE INVENTION This iiivention relates to agymnastics apparatus comprising a housing and a shaft rotatablyjournaled therein and carrying a flywheel mass, on the shaft of which adrawing member can be wound and unwound.

In a gymnastics apparatus of this type it is necessary to surmount aresistance, due to the inertia of the flywheel mass, so that the drawingmember reeled on the shaft can be unwound. The same resistance must besurmounted when in the subsequent winding operation of the drawingmember the rotating flywheel mass is to be subjected to breaking action.An apparatus of the type mentioned above has for example been disclosedby way of the U.S. Pat. No. 770,994 wherein two flywheel masses weremounted in a frame-type housing, each flywheel housing, each flywheelmass having arespective drawing member engaging the associated shaft andequipped with handles at their free ends. In this indicated prior patentthe apparatus is either mounted to the wall or to the floor.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a gymnasticsapparatus of the initially mentioned type, which apparatus is ofessentially lighter design without affecting the required force neededfor operating said apparatus. Furthermore, such an apparatus is to berendered absolutely safe when operated, that is recurrent defects of theapparatus due to premature wear and tear of the drawingmember engagingthe shaft are prevented from arising. The same holds true for thereeling up of the drawing member onto the shaft. The flywheel mass isarranged at one end of the shaft and a drawing member, a rope, engagingwith one of its ends the shaft end opposite to the flywheel mass whilethe other end of the rope is attached within the housing to the hous ingwall and the main portion of the rope is guided over one or severaldeflection rollers positioned on the handle being independent of thehousing. A particular advantage is obtained by resiliently connectingthe rope end attached to the housing wall to its fixing or mountingpoint. According to an additional aspect of the invention the shaftdiameter is to measure mm at the most and, also, the ratio of length ofrope to length of shaft is to be maintained such that the entire lengthof rope capable to be wound can be reeled up onto the shaft in a maximumof three layers. A collar is to be provided at each of the ends of theshaft which collar comprises a groove at its crossing to the shaftdiameter to allow for an automatic return of the rope after a windinglayer has been completed. The rope is to be composed according to yetanother feature of the invention of intertwined fibres covered with alayer of synthetic material having the simplified chemical formula:

A construction presenting particular training advantages utilises ahousing provided with one or several stirrup-type grips or handles toreceive the hand or foot of the persondoing training exercises. Locatinga buffer of rubber between both of the passage openings for the rope hasthe advantage that the handle cannot hit the housing too hard. Thepassage openings for the rope are provided with a lining which reducesfriction and carries off or dissipates well the frictional heat. In thearea of the flywheel mass the housingmay be provided with an oblong holein order to permit that when the ropehas been completely unwound aflywheel mass at rest can be easily made to rotate. To assure particularsafe mounting preventing premature wear and tear of the rope on theshaftthe corresponding end of the rope is to be provided with a knot andmaintained in a countersunk opening of a bore passing over the entirelength of the shaft, the rope being guided if possible twice around theshaft immediately at the crossing of the shaft to the collar so as toform a loop just before passing into the area of the general reel orwinding. In this way the deflection point of the rope at the shaft endis set back a bit from the edge of the shaft bore and wearing down isthus prevented at this location. In addition, it is possible to couplethe shaft via a gear to the flywheel mass. The flywheel mass itself,however,;is to be mounted on the shaft in a manner so as to be easilyreplaceable and/or mounted in the housing so that it can be readilysupplemented. t

The apparatus as developed according to the invention presents theadvantage that the force that need be applied for moving the flywheelmass is at least doubled or, on the other hand, that the apparatus maybeof much lighter and smaller construction due to a smaller flywheel masswhen used with the same amount of force, thus permitting it to be takenalong on a trip or to be used easily in the gymnasium for dailyexercises or training. Using a plurality of rollers will even be moreeffective. Even mailing or shipping the apparatus according to theinvention will present no difficulties due to its low weight. Theresilient mounting of one of the rope ends on the housing assures thatthe rotating flywheel mass will no longer generate a sudden jerk duringreel up when the rope, which has been unwound by the application ofmuscular force, is rewound after having reached the point of reversal.The sequence of movements of each training phase is smoother and is notinterrupted by a jerk. Releasing or letting go the handle inadvertentlywill have an effect that the resilient mounting of the rope on thehousing carrying the flywheel mass will provide for elastic braking.Thus extensive protection against damage is furnished to the housing andthe rope. These measures are, additionally, supplemented by theprovision of a resilient buffer between the passage openings for therope ends. By having maximum dimension of but 10 mm for the diameter ofthe shaft itis assured that the force and energy to be applied duringtraining is quite largeand there is no necessity to add one or two morereflexion rollers at the handles. Consequently the exercising runs canbe performed at a speed in keeping with the muscularphysiology. Thedilimitation of the layers wound onto the shaft does not essentiallydiminish the force to be applied during training. The provision of thecollars at the shaft ends prevents chafing at the housing walls and/orthe flywheel mass. The grooves on the shaft ends assure a betterreversal of rewind or reeling up. Providing the rope in theaforementioned manner and arrangement increase the durability of therope many times over when compared to prior art arrangements. Chafingaction of the drawing member at the fixing or mounting point is entirelyobviated when the rope forms a loop at the shaft collar immediatelyadjacent to the rim of the passage opening after having been passedthrough the passage bore. In this way no movement of the rope will ariseat the edge or the rim of the passage opening and, additionally, thereversal point of the rope will be spaced a small portion from thepassage bore. Particular advantages accrue also when attaching a handleat the housing whereby the range of exercises to be performed isextended. The apparatus will become independent of the wall and floor sothat such exercises can be performed where the muscles of the arm aremade to counteract those of the leg or both arms and/or both legs arebrought into play against each other. Increasing the range of trainingexercises means for the apparatus a quite general improvement in itsusefulness since it will have more universal application. The facilitywhen exchanging or replacing the flywheel mass or supplementing it byseveral mass discs arranged adjacent one another permits stepping up themuscular activity or performance so that this apparatus can be suitablyemployed by various strong athletes as well as for improving thetraining work performed by but a single person over the whole trainingperiod or-programme, leading to economising on the purchase ofadditional heavy apparatus.

The foregoing and additional object and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent as the following detailed description is read inconjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein one embodimentaccording to the invention is presented and explained. In the drawingsFIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of the gymnastics apparatus,

FIG. 2 is a view as seen from below of the apparatus of FIG. 1, and vFIG. 3 is an illustration of the shaft presented at a larger scale.

Referring to the drawing and to FIG. 1 in particular, shown therein is ashaft 4 rotatably journaled in ball bearings 3 and located in acylindrical housing 1 comprised of two mirrow-like identical parts madee.g. of synthetic material and a stirrup-like grip 2 at its rear part,with one end of the shaft having a flywheel mass 5 mounted thereon andthe other end 4 of the shaft opposite to the flywheel mass 5 having arope 6 attached thereto. In the housing cover 7 there are providedpassage openings 9a and 9b lined with ceramic nozzles 8 through whichsaid rope is passed and which is attached at its other end via a buffingand draw spring 12 to the housing. The flywheel mass 5 revolves in closeproximity adjacent to the front wall 10 of the housing which is providedwith an oblong hole 11 so that the flywheel mass 5 can be made torevolve when the rope 6 has been completely unwound from the shaft 4. Ahandle 13 being completely independent of the housing 1 is provided witha deflexion roller 14 around which the central portion of the rope 6 isguided. The shaft 4 is provided at its ends with rollers 4a and 4b withthe transition from collar to shaft being concave or groove-like such asat 15. The prolongation of the shaft at 4a is square-shaped to receivethe flywheel mass 5. A terminating bolt or screw 16 carrying the bearingneck 16a of the shaft for receiving the ball bearing as well the collar16]) engages the square part 4c. The collar 412 at the opposite side isprovided with bore 17 having a countersunk rim 17a to receive a knot 60of rope 6.

The rope is, as can best be seen from FIG. 3, provided with two loopsimmediately adjacent to the bore 17 so as to provide a little spacebetween the deflexion point and the bore 17. In this way it is assuredthat the rope 6 will not chafe at the edge of said bore.

When the flywheel mass 5 is revolving the rope 6 will be reeled up orwound onto the shaft 4 antagonistic to the force applied to handle 13.In the performance of a bodily exercise-such as when training the armand leg muscles the handle 13 will be seized with the one hand and thestirrup-type grip 2 with the other hand. It is then attempted to reelthe rope 6 down from the shaft contrary to the acceration inertia offlywheel mass 5, this requiring the application of bodily forcecorresponding to the respective size of the flywheel mass and theangular velocity.

The apparatus may also be equipped with a second handle so that, forinstance, the deflexion roller 14 is located between both of the handlesin order to permit surmounting the centrifugal force of the flywheelmass 5 with both hands. When the person performing the exercises islying on his back, holding the stirrup-type grip with both hands andapplying force or acting on one or,

several of the handles 13 with his legs the muscles in the legs will besubjected to the exercise and undergo training. Likewise, it is possibleto introduce a foot into the opening of the stirrup-type grip so as towind and unwind the rope over one or two handles using one or bothhands, allowing for example exercises of the trunk to be performed bysurmounting the centrifugal force of the flywheel mass 5.

There are additional modalities of application when the apparatus isequipped with a second shaft engaged by a second drawing memberactuating a flywheel mass located on said second shaft. The apparatusmay be constructed in a manner to be immobile or stationary, i.e.mounted on a support, for example, when only exercises relating tomoving the arms and trunk are to be performed or it may be mobile andportable.

I claim: 7

j l. A gymnastic apparatus comprising a closed housing, a shaftjournaled in said housing, a single weighted mass means mounted on theshaft which offers resistance to rotation by an exerciser, said shafthaving a traction rope wound thereon, said mass means being mounted onsaid shaft at one end thereof, said shaft having a maximum diameter of0.455 inches, the traction rope engaging with one of its ends theopposite end of the shaft, the other end of the rope being attached tothe housing, an independent housing having mounted therein a handle forgripping and pulling during an exercise, said independent housing havingat least one roller, said rope being guided over said at least oneroller, said shaft being provided at one of its ends with a collar whichis larger in diameter than the shaft, and the transition from the shaftto the collar being substantially concave.

2. -A gymnastics apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ropeattached to the housing is resiliently mounted.

3. A gymnastics apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of thelength of said rope to the length of the shaft is such that the entirelength of the rope can be wound around the shaft in three layers at themaximum.

4. A gymnastics apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rope iscomposed of intertwined fibers and covered with a layer composed of asynthetic material.

5. A gymnastics apparatus according to claim ll, wherein the housing isprovided with one at least stirrup-type grips capable to be received bya limb of an operator.

6. A gymnastics apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing isprovided with two opening passages for the rope with an elastic bufferlocated therebetween.

7. A gymnastics apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the openingpassages are provided with a lining for diminishing friction between thehousing and the rope and for dissipating the frictional heat.

8. A gymnastics apparatus according to claim 7,

' wherein the lining is composed of polished brass with flywheel mass.

1. A gymnastic apparatus comprising a closed housing, a shaft journaledin said housing, a single weighted mass means mounted on the shaft whichoffers resistance to rotation by an exerciser, said shaft having atraction rope wound thereon, said mass means being mounted on said shaftat one end thereof, said shaft having a maximum diameter of 0.455inches, the traction rope engaging with one of its ends the opposite endof the shaft, the other end of the rope being attached to the housing,an independent housing having mounted therein a handle for gripping andpulling during an exercise, said independent housing having at least oneroller, said rope being guided over said at least one roller, said shaftbeing provided at one of it''s ends with a collar which is larger indiameter than the shaft, and the transition from the shaft to the collarbeing substantially concave.
 2. A gymnastics apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the rope attached to the housing is resilientlymounted.
 3. A gymnastics apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theratio of the length of said rope to the length of the shaft is such thatthe entire length of the rope can be wound around the shaft in threelayers at the maximum.
 4. A gymnastics apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the rope is composed of intertwined fibers and covered with alayer composed of a synthetic material.
 5. A gymnastics apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with one at leaststirrup-type grips capable to be received by a limb of an operator.
 6. Agymnastics apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing isprovided with two opening passages for the rope with an elastic bufferlocated therebetween.
 7. A gymnastics apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the opening passages are provided with a lining for diminishingfriction between the housing and the rope and for dissipating thefrictional heat.
 8. A gymnastics apparatus according to claim 7, whereinthe lining is composed of polished brass with a cover of chromium.
 9. Agymnastics apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing isprovided in the area of the flywheel mass with an oblong hole.
 10. Agymnastics apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rope is passedthrough a bore traversing the shaft and extends around the shaft with atleast one loop, and wherein the end of the rope is held by means of aknot in a counter-sunk portion of the collar.
 11. A gymnastics apparatusaccording to claim 1, whereiN the shaft is square shaped to receive theflywheel mass.